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LG - RHT398H - 250GB hard disc drive digital TV recorder and DVD recorder with 1080P up-scaling - Advanced time shift - pause and rewind live TV

• Contents: Region - Zone 2 / Standard - PAL I, B/G, I/I SECAM D/K, K1, SECAM L / DivX/MPEG4 compatible - Yes / Compatible Media - DVD-R/-RW, DVD R/ RW, DVD R Double couche, DVD-RAM, DVD Vidéo, VCD/SVCD, CD Audio, CD-R/RW Formats DivX, MP3 (TAG-ID3), WMA, JPEG / Removable recording supports - DVD-R/-RW, DVD R/ RW, dual-layer DVD R, DVD-RAM / Internal hard drive - Yes / Internal hard drive capacity (in GB) - 250 / Integrated Audio Decoder - Dolby Digital, DTS
• Video Out - 1 HDMI socket 1 YUV component video output / Audio Out - 1 RCA audio output 1 digital optical audio output 1 digital coaxial audio output / Scart Adapter - 2 / Included Accessories - Remote control / Manual - Information will soon be available
• Dimensions (mm) - 430 x 49 x 275
• Weight (kg) - 3.74
• Other - 1 USB 2.0 port DV (IEEE1394) input

Finally a box that works!!!, 2008-06-29
Ok this I will keep shortish,

I hunted high and low to get the right box and I could only find 1 but it was worth the search as it does the lot.

Weve had 3 digital boxes 2 HDD recorders countless dvd players with divx and USB support.... and I couldnt find one that did it all I had a philips dvd/hdd/divx/usb but it struggled to read discs and some divx files (plus wouldnt play mpg1 /vcd files form the hdd!) which 2 other philips players we have have no probs, also this had a analogue tuner only, I checked out a more expensive Toshiba but wouldnt allow copying of divx files on to the hdd and lacked a USB, so I looked at the samsung and most reviews slated them, so looked at Sony but doesnt allow play back of divx from the hdd... hmm then I found this box and I down loaded then manufactures manuals and it does the lot and more.. Ive tried it out no lock ups crashes the only thing I was worried about was region free but that can be done and works a treat, It has a file explorer to create folders and organise files on the hdd too, bonus.

It has USB (1.1), DVD recording, DV (i-link) for camcorder built in software to create your chapters and menus before your burn your home movies to DVD!, Digital Free View Tuner, Plays divx no problems, Mpeg1, Photos, copy them all from DVD/CD/USB to the HDD, Analogue tuner too which you can record from plus record from an external device via scart or phono, Audio dubing, editing and cropping recorded programs, burn them to DVD.... think thats it I found countless forum questions I want a box to do all this but most questions are either unanswered or replied I dont think there is a box that will do it all.... well now you know there is and the build quality for the software(which is the important bit now) is to match the best of them if not exceeds. ++++ Recommended

Toshiba XDE500 DVD Player with Advanced Upscaling Technology

• TOSHIBA UPSCALING DVD PLAYER
• HDMI AND SCART CONNECTIONS
• IN BLACK
• MP3 PLAYBACK
• UPSCALLING FUNCTION

Same DVD's but a new viewing experience, 2008-10-30
The remote may not be the prettiest but that's easily overshadowed by the shear quality of the picture. I've got a 32" HD TV and was using a normal DVD player. I bought the XDE and WOW what a difference a day makes! The quality was superb from the moment the trailers started playing you could tell the difference. Pictures were sharper, images clearer and colours much better.

Would I pay extra for something better? NO! I can't see how it could get much better so there doesn't seem much point.

Highly recommended.

Sony DAV-DZ660 - 5.1 ch - Tallboy - Home Cinema System with Surround Sound - Black

• Content: Type - Home Cinema system with DVD player / Amplifier - S-Master 24 bit digital amplifier / Sound decoders - Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Prologic II / CD player - No / DVD player - Yes / Compatible CD-R/RW - Yes / MP3 player - Yes / Other read media - DVD-R/ R/ R DL/ RW/-RW/ -RW (RV) Compatible with JPEG, DivX / Remote - Yes / Number of speakers - 5 / Subwoofer - Yes / Power - 5 x 142 W 140 W = 850W
• A/V features - FM/AM tuner with 30 presets RDS tuner Music and video mode / Inputs - 2 analogue audio inputs 1 optical audio input 1 coaxial aud input 1 mini jack (on front) 1 x USB / Outputs - 1 HDMI video output 1 headphones socket 2 scart sockets / Included accessories - RM-ADP022 remote control, microphone for automatic calibration / Manual - English
• Size (mm) - 430 x 66 x 385 for central unit 108 x 540 x 78 for front speakers 108 x 540 x 78 for rear speakers 265 x 93 x 71 for central speaker 205 x 325 x 325 for subwoofer
• Weight (g) - 4,200 for central unit 2,900 for front speakers 2,900 for rear speakers 700 for central speaker 5,200 for subwoofer
• Other - BRAVIA Sync function: synchronisation of BRAVIA Home Cinema system with just one touch of a button Automatic calibration of DCAC speakers to automatically adjust the speakers' settings, regardless of their position in the room Digital Media Port (DM Port) interface for Bluetooth (optional accessory required)

Stunning, 2008-06-22
I have had this surround sound system for approx. 1 week and I am extremely impressed with the sound quality. The base speaker produces really deep reverberating, spine tingling, sounds. Explosions can be felt physically. At the same time the centre speaker reproduces spoken words that are distinct and clearly audible no matter how much background noise there is. The other four speakers produce the surround sound effect and these also do the job admirably.

At the centre of the system is the up-scaling DVD player. This seems to work very well also (though I have rarely used this as most things I have watched have been played through a Play Station 3).

The system was very easy to set up and comes with a calibration microphone. For me this was essential as my room layout is not square and the rear left speaker is much closer than the rear right speaker. The setup facility worked flawlessly and adjusted the relative volumes of the speakers perfectly.

There are only two very minor criticisms' I could make. 1) I don't really like the layout of the remote control which seems cluttered. 2) the different input sources are given names that are not always accurate for instance my Play Station is connected via a digital optical cable which this system calls the TV for some reason.

Don't let these minor criticisms put you off though. I think the sound quality is just as good as being at the cinema hence why I am giving this product 5 stars.

Samsung HT-X710T- 2.1 ch - 400 Watt Bluetooth - Home Cinema System- With 1080p Upscaling HDMI and USB - Black

• 400 watts output
• Rose Black Design
• HDMI Upscaling
• Bluetooth compatability
• 2 smallboy speakers & sub woofer

Surround sound from only 2.1 speakers?, 2008-11-19
Samsung HT-X710T- 2.1 ch - 400 Watt Bluetooth - Home Cinema System- With 1080p Upscaling HDMI and USB - Black

Thats what Samsung claim, the effect of surround sound from a 2.1 setup. I'm not sure i'd agree, for me it just seems a bit echo-y! However this system still has a lot going for it as you can turn off the "virtual surround" option and just have fantastic sound which fills the room, but maybe doesn't give you complete surround sound (it also doesn't have your house trailing with cables everywhere).

I got this system to compliment my Series 5 40" 1080p HD Samsung TV. And compliment it does, however the one thing missing from the Home cinema box is a Digital optical audio cable, so you'll need to spend £8 on one of these so that you can use your home cinema to get better sound instead of using the little TV speakers.

Firstly the 2.1 setup is actually 2 speaker stacks each with 5 varied sized speakers, and a very large Sub woofer unit (I find its best to hide it behind the TV unit itself). You could argue its 10.1 setup, only all the speakers are in front of you.

Some of the features include being able to use the same remote on your Samsung TV, thus cutting down on the clutter of having to brandish multiple remotes.

1080p upscaling for your regular DVD's, although you need to use the HDMI cable for this, and some button pressing on the remote to setup the system for 1080p (all explained in the manual) or it'll just run at regular 480p for your old DVD's.

An FM radio, yeah i'm not sure why they still include these either/

Two Aux ports, a USB connection an AV connection, HDMI and digital optical, and bluetooth connectivity, so pretty much all the basics covered.

What i don't like is it not future upgradable to 5.1 setup, the ports are there, just blocked off, would have been nice to have given the option of later upgrade. Or better still Bluetooth connectivity to remote surround speakers.

The littleboy speaker stacks look perfect sitting next to a typical dark glass and aluminium LCD TV unit, and are small enough that they could sit next to the TV if you have a large enough TV unit. Or like me you could place them on the floor where they look substantial enough to not look lost and out of place. There is just the right amount of weight in the units, not so heavy that they are a pain or danger to your feet if you knock one over, and not so light that you would knock them over every time you touch them.

I've used my 2.1 setup as a complete replacement for my ageing JVC sound system. The total output of 400watts is the same, but considering how much smaller the speakers are on the 2.1 setup I was impressed to hear the sound quality is probably even better now. Although I did find tweaking the Bass on the Subwoofer's setup down to -2db made the sound more acceptable to my ear. Still a good boom but not overpowering.

The Bluetooth setup is a gimmick i'm sure all owners will actually use, its so handy connecting wirelessly to the Samsung with my phone to play a new tune i've just downloaded rather than burning a CD or plugging my ipod in.

Ipod connectivity appears to be absent on the UK version of the 2.1 setup, apparently only people in the USA own Ipods? Anyway this makes it pretty frustrating as you can connect via the USB but because the 2.1 system can't display anything other than the basic file structure you probably won't be able to find your tracks, and besides it seems to skip when they play? However you can use the AUX1 port on the side and connect this way, and then use the control on your Ipod to pick your tunes. I'm sure a Zune would probably work better with the 2.1 system.

Fortunately all isn't ruined, you could copy your music onto a typical memory stick or portable harddrive and plug this in via the USB and use the remote for the 2.1 to navigate to your chosen tracks.

Another nice feature is the inclusion of DIVX playing ability, and you even get a free licence code in the system so you can download the full licenced version to your PC. So if your into downloading video of any kind you can burn to DVD and play on your home cinema.

So would i recommend this system? Yes i would, its compact, sounds great, its got all the features you'll need (unless you want full surround), it doesn't make your sitting room look a cluttered mess, and you don't have cables trailing all around the sitting room to feed 2 speakers behind you.

Sony DAV-IS50 - 5.1 ch - Home Cinema System with Rear Wireless Speakers

• Content: Type - 5.1 home cinema system / Amplifier - Digital 32-bit S-Master / Sound decoders - Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Prologic II / CD player - Yes / DVD player - Yes / Compatible CD-R/RW - Yes / MP3 player - Yes / Other read media - JPEG, DivX / Remote - Yes / Number of speakers - 5 / Subwoofer - Yes / Power - 450 W (5 x 50 W 200 W) / A/V features - Yes / Inputs - Analogue audio, optical audio, coaxial audio, Digital Media Port (DM Port)
• Included accessories - Remote control, mains cable
• Manual - English, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Polish
• Size (mm) - Central system: 215 x 105 x 207 mm Satellite speaker: 45 x 55 x 40 mm Subwoofer:188 x448.5 x 471.5 mm
• Weight (g) - Central system: 3Kg Satellite speaker: 0,07Kg Subwoofer: 13Kg

Superb piece of kit, 2008-11-22
The DAV-IS50 Home Cinema system is a superb bit of kit and is aesthetically really pleasing. I'm delighted with mine. The 5.1 sound is unbelievable when you consider the size of the speakers. Not quite as easy to set up as described, but not particularly difficult. Couple of things to consider:

1. The S-Air Wireless system that comes with this essentially means that you've got a radio wave link from the SubWoofer/Amp to another amp that you place at the back of the room. The rear speakers then connect with wires from the secondary amp, so it's not quite as wireless as the advert leads you to think;

2. The system can be used as wireless (as per point 1, above) or wired. The cables are included in the box, as is the S-AIR system, which you need to set up [dead-easy, just a case of slotting in the transmitter and receiver]

3. The Subwoofer is massive. It delivers excellent sub-bass, bass and middle but you need it to be visible to avoid losing the mid-range frequencies. Did I mention it's massive?

4. The "golf ball" speakers are excellent, and incredibly small. The wall brackets are included in the box.

5. There's no SCART out - it's set up for HDMI and if you're a luddite with a perfectly good CRT TV [as I am], you will need either RGB inputs on your telly or get an RGB to SCART adaptor.

6.the auto calibration is done via a microphone [included] and is very easy.

As I've said, I really like mine and if you're looking for an "all-in one box" set up, without having masses of cabling running the length of the room, I reckon it's hard to beat.

Toshiba SDP71S- 7" Portable DVD Player with Carry Case

Good it is, a player for the car it isn't, 2008-09-27
I bought this DVD player to use by my daughter in the car and for myself while working away. The quality is first class with a rubber like covering on the outside of the top. The sound is excellent and combined with a screen that displays the colours in great depth, this was well worth the money. The only downside is that the bag is not designed to be used to hold the player in a car. when the top of the bag is open to watch the screen, the only thing which holds the player in place is a velcro strap which fastens across the loading lid. This means you cannot swap DVD's without removing the player from the bag. If you want a quality DVD player, this stills makes an excellent purchase.

Philips PET704/05 Portable DVD Player

• Plays DVD, DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW and (S)VCD discs
• Plays MP3-CD, CD and CD-RW music
• 7" TFT colour LCD display for high quality viewing
• Car adaptor and handy remote control included
• Share entertainment fun with dual headphone jacks

Making it multi-region- Works as well!!, 2008-03-18
Having had the DVD Player for about a month I decided I needed to make it multi-region, to play other region discs I own.

This is the procedure I carried out and made my player region free:

1. Power on DVD without a disc in the player.
2. Press SETUP on the remote.
3. Press 'Right arrow' on the remote 3 times.
4. Press 9, 6, 5 & 3 on the remote.
5. Press up/down to change region of player. Set to 0 (Zero) for region-free.
6. Press SETUP to exit.

Job's a good un!

Hyundai 7" Multi Reigon Portable DVD/Mpeg 4 player with USB, Card Reader and Carry Case

Stylish and Sleek design, 2008-09-30
The Hyundai has got all the features you could want in a portable DVD player such as multi reigon, MPEG 4 (DivX playback) and a few more thrown in for good measure such as a USB port and card Reader not to mention the carry case as well. The unit itself looks good, is nice and slim with a very sharp picture and good sound quality.

It's an ideal product and will keep the kids entertained on those long car journeys.

Philips DVP5960 - Multi Region Capable DVD Player With USB And HDMI Upscaling to 1080i - Black

• HDMI digital output for easy connection with only one cable
• Video Upscaling for improved resolution of up to 1080i
• High definition JPEG playback for images in true resolution
• Progressive Scan component video for optimized image quality
• Movies: DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, (S)VCD, DivX

Panasonic DMPBD55EBK Panasonic DMP-BD55 Blu-ray Disc Player With 7.1ch Lossless Decode and Analog Out

• Blu-ray, DVD/-R/-RW/+R/+RW Play
• SD Memory Card Slot
• 1080/24p Playback
• VIERA Link
• HDMI V.1.3a Connection

Panasonic bd55 Blu Ray , 2008-11-14
Panasonic DMP-BD55 Blu-ray Disc Player .Very pleased with this player , It decode the latest audio sounds so if you don`t have an amp that can do this you can use the multi channel inputs on your amp and let the blu ray player decode , this player is very slim in design and operation is as quiet as a mouse , great picture quality , i think this is the best player for the price , takes a little time to setup but is well worth the money .